Automatic molding press



y 1941- v. zELov EI'AL -2,242,189

AUTOMATIC MOLDING PRESS Original Filed June 5, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1" INVENTOR WC'I'ORI. ZE'LOV B YH'LLIHMSTRAUSS W WSW ATTORNEY y 1941- v. I. ZELOV EI'AL 2,242,189

AUTOMATIC MOLDING PRESS Original Filed June 5, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FM i INVENTORS v ncron I. ZE'LOV R'ILLMM STRAUSS I 04. :W KM

ATTORNEY y v. I. ZELOV ET-AL 2,242,189

AUTOMATIC MOLDING PRESS Original Filed June 5, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNVENTORS 776701! I ZELOV WILLIAM STRHUSS ATTORNEY V. I. ZELOV Er AL AUTOMATIC MOLDING PRESS Original Filed June 5, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NNH INVENTORS VICTOR IZE'L V WILLIAMISTRHUI W .SM

ATTORNFY Fn=2m May 13, 1941.

I N: ///////////////A/Z/// ///&////// Patented May 13, 1941 AUTOMATIC MOLDING PRESS Victor 1. Zelov, Rosemont, and William Strauss,

Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to Molded Insulation Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 5, 1937, Serial No. 146,550 Renewed Octoberdl. 1939 19Claims.

This invention relates to plastic molding machines and, more particularly, to an automatic machine for the molding of finished articles from pulverulent compounds such as, for example, Bakelite, a phenolic condensation product which 7 hardens into the shape of the mold through the application of heat and pressure.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to -provide apparatus for automatically manufacturing parts from molding materials, such as the kind referred to, which will be simple in construction and so arranged that each step of the molding cycle may be automatically timed by means of a repeating controller and thereby the errors inherent to manual control eliminated.

One purpose of our invention is to provide a unitary machine which is entirely automatic throughout themolding cycle and suitable for the economical manufacture of parts from molding compounds in the common types of molds, usually referred to as positive, semi-positive, or flash type molds.

Another purpose is to provide a machine which will automatically repeat the molding cycle unchanged and continuously any desired number of times and provided with means for stopping the operation in the event of failure of any part to function properly.

A further purpose of our invention is to apply the simple screw-press principle to a fully automatic plastic molding press by means of, a powerdriven nut co-operating with a threaded ram, the nut being axially stationary but rotated through suitable means by a reversible motor, whose starting, stopping, reversing,-stopping and re-starting is controlled from an adjustable and automatic controller.

It is a further purpose to provide a machine in which certain mechanical functions of the press are tied to the threaded ram and actuated by its movements which are timed through the motor by a controller.

Our machine also includes the novel construction of a receiver safety device, actuated by. the

molded and'ejected article and so interlocked through a switch in themotor-circuit that the repetition of molding cycles depends on the continuance of ejected articles.

Heretofore, in the art of molding parts from plastic material, ithas been the general practice to use hydraulic or pneumatic presses fitted with suitable molds comprising a large number of mold cavities so that'a large number of identical parts could be finished at the same time for each cycle of operation. These multiple. cavity molds are very expensive and can only be used economically for the manufacture of parts in very large lots. Such multiple cavity molds, however, are necessary under the present general practice of manual control because, during the curing time, each press is tied up for a considerable length of time varying from a few minutes to sometimes as long as a quarter of an hour or more, and the production cost would be the same whether a single cavity or a 200-cavity mold was used. During part of this time the operator may be idle unless he is able to take care of several presses. Under such conditions, the'cost of small quantity lots, excepting of very large pieces, is prohibitive.

The present practice of depending on manual control for the curing time as well as the time for breathing the mold, when necessary, brings in an element of uncertainty often resulting in defective par-ts.

Another objectionable feature of the present practice is the common method of manually weighing or measuring out the molding material and then feeding it by hand into the several mold cavities. This requires considerable skill and the exercise of great care inorder that each cavity may receive the exact amount of compound, for improperly filled molds will produce imperfect pieces or an excessive'amount of flash.

To overcome this last-mentioned difliculty as well as for other desirable reasons, the use of preforms is becoming very common. The economical production of tablets from plastic composition or preforms, however, requires additional.

special equipment as well as extra handlings of the material.

Through our invention, the above objectionable features are eliminated and a molding press is provided suitable for economical production of parts not only in large quantity lots but in small quantity lots as well, because a simple mold comprising preferably a single mold cavity may be efficiently employed and one identical article after another produced in any desired number without any attention of an operator excepting for the occasional replenishing of the molding compound in the feed hopper.

Some of the novel features embodied in our automatic molding press are:

Automatic measuring of a predetermined quantity of molding material;

Means for convenientlyadiusting the measuring valve to vary the capacity according to the die cavity and article molded;

Automatic feeding of the measured material to the mold cavity;

Automatic closing of the mold to a premoldpressure;

Automatic cleaning of the die-face and removal of any surplus molding material lodged on top of the die;

Automatic breathing of the mold;

Automatic temperature control;

Automatic closing and applying of the molding pressure;

Yieldable means for gradually and slowly increasing the pressure to the desired magnitude;

Automatic control of curin time;

Automatic opening of mold and ejection of finished article;

Automatic cleaning of the mold;

A'receiver safety device which will stop machineif the finished article is not ejected, or if feed device fails to fill the die or in case the material is not sufficiently cured to form a solid article;

A warning bell in conjunction with above receiver safety device;

A continuously operating control device provided with means each actuating switches which will start or stop a step of the molding cycle, and thus controls the sequence of operations.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the artto which this invention appertains, that our mold-,

ing press may be used to equal advantage in producing parts from the variety of molding compounds commonly referred to as cold-molding compositions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is illustrated.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front plan view showing our improved molding machine.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of our improved apparatus taken on the line II-II of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the plastic material feeding device in position to receive its charge and is taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the materialfeeding device but in its discharging position and the parts shown in Fig. 4 are therefore shown correspondingly rotated.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a modification of the mold with stripping means or ejector pins provided in the upper platen.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the automatic control or timing device.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a suitable controller with parts broken away.-

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the controller parts broken away.

Referrin now to the drawings in detail, there is shown at ll] (Figs. 2, 3 and 6) a mold suitable for the production of articles from plastic materials, such as for example phenolic condensation products, it being common practice in dealing with materials of this kind to supply the mold cavity with the plastic in powder form and then to apply the required pressure and heat for a sufficient time to effect molding and curing. For example, a pressure in the order of 2,000 to 3,000 pounds per square inch and a temperature with of about 300 F. may be required for a certain length of time, dependent upon the nature of the material to be molded and size of molded article.

The curing time varies with different kinds of material and is also influenced by the size and shape of the article, less time being required for light and thin articles than for heavier ones. The present invention is concerned with mechanical operation of the mold and the mechanical means for applying the pressure and the performance of such other functions as may be nec essary to make the machine completely automatic by means of a controller.

The mold I is of the conventional type and comprises a die ii, attached to the lower platen Ila with means for supplying heat at lib, and a punch i2 attached to the upper platen i2a with provision for heat-supply at i 2b. Stripping or ejecting pins are shown at 36 (Figs. 2 and 6) for the lower or die member of the mold and at I00 (Fig. 6) for the punch i2. The upper platen in is fastened to the flange ia of the ram i 5. In themold i0, used for illustration, the die ii is shown with mold cavity i4 into which the punch l2 fits and compresses the plastic material against the bottom plate IS. The heat-supply means for the mold may be any of the usual means, such as electric or steam, the temperature being maintained constant and at the proper degree in the customary way.

In operation, assuming that the molding and curing of an article is completed, the punch i2 is raised and the article ejected from the cavity H. The latter is then supplied with a new charge of the requ red amount of plastic material and the punch i2 lowered again into mold cavity so as to exert the required pressure to compress the charge for the required curing time, after which another finished piece is ejected.

The upper platen i2a is carried by a ram is having threads i6 engaged by the nut i8, provided with a worm-wheel iBa meshing with the worm i9 and driven by the reversible motor 20. Rotary motion of the motor is converted into rectilinear motion of the ram IS, the latter being restrained from turning in any suitable manner, for example by means of bolts II.

The reversible motor 20 is carried on a bracket fastened to the upper crosshead 23 of the machine frame 24. The connection for the power supplied and the control of rotation for the motor will be described in detail in connection with the molding cycle.

The lower platen lia for the mold i0 is supthe lower ends of the springs 25 bear, the upper ends of the latter bearing against plates 21a comprising parts of the pressure bar 21, the plates having openings 28 for the stems 29 of the side rods 30 and permitting these stems 29 to engage with nuts 3i on the upper side of the plates on pressure bar '21. The springs 25 are always exerting a certain tension being initially compressed by the nuts on the stems'29 so that the shoulder 30a is held by the spring tension against the flange of bushing 23a when the ram l5 does not exert pressure on the mold or when the mold in is open and the ram in up position as shown in Fig. 1.

The lower portion of the side rods 30 are connected to the lower crosshead 32. 7

Assuming that the mold cavity I4 is supplied with the required molding material and that the ram i5 is lowered by the motor 20, such lowering motion will continue relatively to the die Ii until punch l2 enters die II and compresses the plastic mateiial when continued motion of the ram will cause the mold III to move as a unit, pulling down the pressure bar 21 against springs 25 and compressing these springs until the required molding pressure is produced as determined by the setting of switch 33, which then opens the circuit and stops motor 20. The moment the motor stops, the downward motion of the ram is also stopped and the pressure remains constant until-the motor again is started either to further lower the ram or to withdraw it.

The parts of the mold III are held together under pressure for the required time interval,

the heat being maintained at the desired tem-.

perature degree; and, after the elapse of the curing time, the circuit for the reverse rotation of the motor is completed by action of controller on relay U in motor-circuit, retracting the plunger IS, the first phase of such movement being used to relieve the tension placed in the springs by the last phase of the forward movement. As the plunger moves upwardly, it carries the frame F3, which actuates the powderfeeding device and the bottom-ejecting parts.

36, whereby the stripping of a molded article from the mold cavity l4 and the feeding of a new charge of molding material into the cavity may occur in proper sequence and timed relationwith respect to the movement of the ram 15. When the desired limit of upward move-,

ment of the plunger l5 and the frame F3 is reached, the controller acts on relay U in the motor-circuit to stop motor 23 and the retraction of ram It.

The feeding device 35, for supplying measured charges of molding material, comprises a measuring valve formed within a cylinder 38 by adjustable valve-blades 40a. and Ma and mounted in a housing 39 attached to the wormhousing II on crosshead 23 of frame '24. A valve chamber 40 is thus formed by the bottom and the interior walls ofcylinder 38,, valve-blades 40a and lie and cap 4| which has a capacity adjustable for any desired volume within the range of the machine. Blade 41a is attached to cap 4| and blade 40a is fastened to the stern 40b so that they may be adjusted with relation to each other to form a similar or larger valve by turning stem 40b and cap 4| within cylinder 38.- After adjustment, the stem 40b is clamped tightly to cap 4| by means of a nut 40c and cap 4i in turn is clamped to cylinder 33 by some such means as a nut 38a, so that all these parts are held together and will turn in housin 33 as a valve unit with cylinder 33. From'the above description, it is readily understood how the valve 40 may be changed to form a larger or'smaller valve-pocket as needed. For example, the blades may be-swung around, back-to-back, to form a valve-pocket the full size of cylinder 33. The valve-pocket 4| communicates through the opening 33b in the wall of cylinder 33 with a feed-hopper 42, at the top of housing 39 as shown in Fig. 4, and with a feed-conduit 4211 at the bottom when turned to the position shown in Fig. 6. The feed-conduit 420 extends from the measuring device at II to a point just above thei'a'ce of die ii andisbentinasuitable shape to deliver the measured quantities of material when discharged by the valve 40 into mold cavity l4. The feed-valve 40 may be turned or oscillated in timed relation with the movements of ram it through any suitable means, for example a pinion 43, mounted on an extension 380 of cylinder 38 and meshing with the rack-teeth 44 but in a side rod 45 of frame F3.

During each cycle, the valve-pocket 40 is disposed to receive a charge from the feed-hopper 42 when passing the position shown in Fig. 4 and to discharge this measured charge through the feed-conduit 420 (Fig. 5) into the die cavity i4, the latter event occurring with the ram II in elevated'position and after the previously molded article has been removed from the mold.

It is very desirable to have uniform charges of molding material delivered to the die cavity each cycle and for that reason various means may have to be employed to take care of the difference in nature and consistency found in the many kinds of molding compounds used in the art of plastic molding. To aid in obtaining charges of uniform density, we have found it helpful to allow the valve 40 to over-travel. By this we mean that, instead of arranging the gearing 43-44 so that the opening 38!) inthe cylinder 38 would stop as shown in Fig. 4, disposed to receive a charge, and remain in that position during the extended time for curing, we allow opening 381) to pass on and stop near the discharge position shownin Fig. 4 but not turned quite far enough to discharge any of the material in the valve to the feed-conduit. Opening 38b will thereby pass the feed-hopper 42 twice but the material in the valve cavity 40 is only momentarily exposed to the varying head of material in the hopper instead of as otherwise for an extended period of time. When the valve cavity was permitted to remain for an extended period in communication with the feed-hopper, it was discovered that the varying head of material in hopper 42 influenced the density of the material in the valve-cavity 40 in proportion to the amount at the time in hopper 42. On the other hand, it is also in some cases beneficial to attach a vibrator to the hopper 42 or housing 39 in order to speed the flow of material into valve 40 and, on the other hand, aid the discharge into feed-conduit 42a.

In some instances, it is desirable to pre-heat the molding material to a temperature just below the fusing point and suitable heating means (although not shown) may readily be attached to the housing 39 and/or hopper 42. As is well known to those versed in the art, pre-heating of the molding compound decreases the required curing time and thereby increases the eillciency of the machine.

If molding material compressed into preformtablets or balls are available, the above-disclosed powder-feeding device may, of course, be substituted by an automatic preform feeding device.

To secure removal of an article from the mold cavity I4, the knock-out pins 36 are employed, these pins being carried by a support or holder 41 arranged to abut the plate 48 connected to crosshead plate 43, each of the rods being surroundedby a spring 53-held in compression between the nuts 54 and the plate 48. At a predetermined point in the upward travel of the plunger I5, as determined by the adjustment of the cross-bar 50, the push-bar 49 is engaged by bar 50 and the knock-out pins are elevated to eject a molded article from the cavity I4. At the same time, springs 53 are compressed and, when the cross-bar 50 moves down, the force of the springs is effective on the knock-out holder 41 to pull the pins 'down out of the cavity I4 and to place their ends level with the bottom of the mold cavity I4. Springs or some other similar means of sufficient power must be used for this purpose because of the large amount of friction encountered when the pins pass through the mold bottom I3, it being necessary to make the fit fairly tight for the knock-out pins because of the high molding pressure.

For certain types of molds, it also is desirable to provide knock-out pins or strippers for the punch I2 as well. These may be arranged in some such manner as shown in Fig. 6, thestrippers I being carried by a bar I02 attached to the head of rod I04, extending up through a hollow ram I and supported by threads on rod I04 engaging a nut which rests on and compresses a spring I03 against the bar 2Ia of the frame F3. The action of strippers I00 may be as follows: the bar or stripper holder I02 may extend out beyond the flange I5a of ram I5; as the ram I5 is raised, stripper holder I02 will engage the abutments I02a at a predetermined point in the cycle; and the article is stripped from the punch I2 while at the same time spring I03 is further compressed against bar 2Ia in order that sufficient tension may be stored up for the return of the strippers I00 to their positions in the punch- I2, when the ram again is lowered to close the mold I0.

To insure a clean mold and to reduce flashing, blasts of compressed air are used with the mold by means of a supply conduit 55 whose discharge end is directed so as to blow across the die face II. With punch I2 retracted, the blasts also clean the cavity I4. This event is preferably timed to occur after the article is lifted from cavity I4 by the knock-out pins, the blast blowing the article into the receiver 56. A blast is also provided just after punch I2 enters die cavity I4 so as to blow off any excess powder about upper face of die II. Thus, durmg each cycle, two blasts occur: one to clean the mold and to eject an article; and the other to remove excess powder on the die II before the parts are in the curing position. The conduit 55 is provided with a valve 5'! (not shown on the drawings excepting in the diagrammatic view Fig. '7). It may be any suitable valve with electric control and attached any suitable place either on crosshead 32 or frame 24. This valve is then actuated by the controller as indicated in 'Fig. '7, so as to secure the event described above in timed relation.

In addition to the air blast for ejection of molded articles, We'have found it desirable in certain cases, for example when molding large thin articles, to provide a mechanical knock-off or ejector 58 pivoted at 59 and having its lower end formed to provide a cam-surface 60 engaged by the abutment 6| on the cross-bar 50; thus, if the blast is insufficient to remove the article into the receiver 56 after being ejected by the knock-out 36, the knock-oil agitates the article on the pins and aids the removal by the air. The knock-01f 58 is also of service in cases where the article is lifted out by the punch I2 and stripped from the punch after clearing the face of die II. In this case, the action of 58 is arranged so that it will enter over the cavity I4 and prevent the article from falling into and getting caught in the cavity.

The receiver 56 includes a safety device in the form of a trap 62, which is interlocked through a switch 63 in the motor circuit of the controller, so that the failure of a continuity in the discharge of molded articles will stop the machine and thus prevent damage to any of the parts. For example, if a molded article should remain in cavity I4, stick on the punch I2 or fall back into the cavity and a second charge of molding material delivered to the cavity, serious damage maybe done to the mold and other parts of the machine unless the cycle of operation was stopped at the proper time. In a machine constructed for automatic operation and therefore operating without constant attention of an operator, many other accidents may occur and must be guarded against. The heat-supply to the platens may fail, in which case the molding also would fail with the probable result of the knock-out pins merely piercing the article in the mold, instead of ejecting it, and subsequently a second and third charge delivered on top of the first would cause damage to the mechanism. It is also conceivable that an attendant may neglect filling the feed-hopper and thus allow the machine to idle for some time unless the machine is automatically stopped, and a warning of some kind, for example a bell a, is given.

The receiver safety device, 56 is mounted on the lower crosshead 32 in a suitable position to receive the ejected article as it is blown off the die II. A preferred embodiment of the device is shown in Fig. 3. The molded article, entering the receiver 56, comes to rest on the counterbalance platform or trap 62 which is pivoted at 62c, and the weight of the article tilts the trap 62 down, thus closing a branch of motor-circuit through the switch 63, insuring the continuance of the molding cycle. The article is then discharged from the trap through opening 65a by the further tilting of the trap.

When latch 64 is pressed back by extension 50a on bar 50, latch 64 releases trap 62 and permits it to open wide enough for the molded article to slide out of receiver 56 through the then open bottom 65a. The withdrawing of latch 64 for release of trap 62 takes place as the bar 50 i brought, back to its lower position by frame F3 at the closing of mold I0. As soon as trap 62 is relieved of the weight of the molded article, it will swing back to the normal position shown in Fig. 3 by virtue of the counterbalance 62b. Latch 64 i fulcrumed at 64a and has an arm of suitable length to engage extension. 50a, while the other arms has provision for engaging the near side of trap 62 and looking it in a position induced by a molded article suitable for the closing of the safety circuit through switch 63; At the end of the curing time when the ram I5 retracts to open the mold I0, the frame F3, and with it the bar 50, is lifted to eject the molded article. The lifting of bar 50 and its extension 50a permits the. spring 641) to pull the latch forward to such a position that the near side of the trap 62 will engage and become locked in the closed position of the circuit if a molded article is discharged into receiver 65 and induces the tilting of trap 02. Thus, by the action of this latch, the article is not discharged at once but retained in receiver for a sufficient length 'of time to give the interlocked switches of the controller ample time to function. It is, of course, understood that, with trap 62 in normal position, the circuit through switch 63 is open and will remain open continuously unless acted on by a discharged article. If switch 60 remains open during the retraction of ram IE, it has the effect of stopping the motor operating the controller, because the switch in this motor-circuit is so interlocked with switch 03 that either one or both must be closed in order to continue the operation. At a suitable time in the molding cycle, the controller opens the switch in this motor-circuit and, if switch 03 is also open, the controller stops. At the same time, another circuit is closed through the alarm bell which will continue to sound the alarm until stopped by the operator.

As mentioned above, pre-heating of the molding compound is desirable as it decreases'the required curing time and, in addition, it liberates a portion of the gases in the material. Some molding compounds contain a large percentage of volatile materialwhich, if not expelled during the curing of the article, will cause blisters and porous sections in the finished article. To prevent blistering, we provide means for breathing the mold by suitable switches in the controller, which will halt the downward movement of the ram shortly before the mold is completely closed but at a point where the punch will exert some pressure (pre-mold pressure) on the charge, aiding and speeding a thorough heating of the charge in the cavity, retracting the punch to relieve the charge of all pressure, dwelling at the point of retraction a suitable length of.time to give the gases generated by the heat and the temporary pressure a chance to escape, and then again closing the mold for the final curing time.

The machine may be controlled in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of automatic time switches of which there are several now available on the market. Such a time switch embodying a sufllcient number of independently operated but interlocked devices for opening and closing circuits in conjunction' with the limit switches 33 and -31 as well as safety switch 63 may, in a general way, meet the requirements as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 7. The motor control switches U and D, operated through one Or more of the time switches or the limit switches suitably interlocked with safety switch 02, determine the direction of rotation of the motor fo up-and-down movement of the ram IS. The starting and stopping of the air blast through valve 51, which may be of the solenoid operated type, must be controlled by time switches in exactly timed relation with other steps in the molding cycle.

The ordinary time switches are usually constructed with open contact-points and the makeand-brealk mechanism is operated by means of adjustable cams mounted on a common camshaft rotating at a speed of one revolution for the desired time cycle. The open contacts, while extensively used, are subject to considerable wear and damage from arcing. which impairs their eiilciency and shortens their useful life, particu-: larly in an automatic and continuously operating device. The cams are difficult to adjust and, un-

less they are made very large in diameter, great skill is required in making the adjustments so as to keep the error or time lag down to a small fraction of the time cycle.

In order to obtain the highest efllciency from our automatic molding press, and to eliminate some of the faults found in most commercial timing devices as well as to provide greater convenience in making adjustments, we have developed a controller which more fully meets the requirements of a continuously operating device. In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are shown an embodiment of a suitable controller, including several new and novel features, which provides ample space for the convenient-setting of the devices that openand-close the several switches in timed relation so that lost time may be kept down to a very small fraction of the time cycle.

Referring now to Figs. 7, Band 9, there are shown a number of switches III (represented as contacts 02, 96, 01, etc., in Fig. '7) preferably of the kind known as the mercury vacuum sealed type, attached to individual holders H5, which are mounted on a fulcrum II 8, extending from the frame I05 in such a manner that the holder can swivel or tilt when urged by the switch finger IIOd and remain in that position, being restrained by some form of a retainer II9 until the corresponding finger I00a returns it to the original position. Each switch III is connected in thecustomary manner to its proper circuit by means of the flexible leads H2 and H3.

The switch-actuating mechanism may consist of a plurality of bars 10, II, etc., two for each switch, pivotally attached to a lever I00 at the top and I20 at the bottom, a pair for each bar, and forming a linkage for the actuation of the switch. These levers are free to swivel on their respective shafts I09 and I2 I, which are attached to the side members of frame I05. Springs 18, 19, etc., yieldably urge bars I0, II, etc., against a stop I06 of frame I05 to limit their movements. Each lever I08 and H0 has an extension (switch finger) I08a, IIOa, etc., suitable to contact abutments IIG, IIGa, etc., on switch holder H5 and by such action tilt holder H5 in a position which either opens or closes the circuit through switch III. 011 bars 10, II, etc., are placed one or more adjustable dogs 10a, 10b, Ila, IIb, etc., respectively, and the location of these dogs on the bars determine the point in the molding cycle at which a switch III opens or closes a circuit. The dogs may be made in any suitable manner as, for example, in the form of an arm I22 extending out from the bar and provided with a bevel I22a at one end, a suitable recess at the other end fitting over the bar and threads or the like engaging a nut or screw I23 for clamping and holding the dog at the desired position on the bar. The dogs are actuated to move their respective linkage by one or more control-rods 00, carried by endless belts or chains 81 and 88' engaging upper and lower pulleys or sprockets 01a, 01b and 00a, 08b, respectively, mounted on shafts I24 and I25 which have their bearings in the side members of frame I05.. The sprocket 00b is driven from a motor 09, through a train of change gearing 00, comprising one or more interchangeable gears I26, I21 and I28, chosen so as to secure a suitable speed of travel for chains 01 and 00, which will result in a complete lap for control rod around its track each cycle regardless whether th duration of the cycle suitable for the curing time is two, three or more minutes or a fraction of a minute. If a time cycle of five and one-half (5 minutes is desired, suitable gears are selected and mounted at 90 to cause the control-rod 86 to make one lap in that time. On one side of the lap it will be noticed that the control rod 86 is merely idling, this being the curing time, while on the otherlside it contacts one dog after another, thus opening and closing circuits in timed relation. The order of operation of the dogs is indicated in Fig. 7 by the underscored numerals I to I2, inclusive.

The frame I 85, which contains and supports the controller, may be part of frame 24 or attached to crosshead 23 along side motor 20 as shown in Fig. l., v

Assuming the end of the curing phase whose duration depends upon the idle travel back and up of the control rod 88 from the last to the first of the dogs, the bar engages the dog 16a to close the contacts 92 of the control circuit for up relay U, the control circuit extending from line Lo through relay U, limit switch 31, switch contacts 92 and 84 and back to line L1 through line Lia. Operation of relay U causes the motor 26 v to turn in a direction to move the plunger I5 upwardly to open the mold.

After operating dog a, bar 86 next engages the dog 76a to close the contacts 93 of a circuit including the leads I4, I5, and Is, resulting in opening of the valve 51 to provide the air blast for cleaning the mold and securing discharge therefrom of a molded article. The blast continues until rod 86 engages the dog 11a to open the controls 93.

The bar 86 next engages the dog 15a to open the switch 94, disconnecting the line side Lia, through the leads Ia, i '1 and I3, to the line side L3a, the line side then remaining connected through the leads la, la and the switch 63. Unless, therebefore, the switch 63 is weighted closed by an article, as soon as the switch 94 is opened, the relay 95 is rendered ineil'ective and the circuit to the timing motor 89 is interrupted and a warning signal is given, if desired, and the machine stops. If switch 63, however, was closed, the rod 86 continues and engages the dog 14a to close the switch 84 again.

The rod then engages the dog' Ha to close the controls 96 connecting lead I2, through lead I10, and closed contacts 31 and lead I11, through the limit switch 33 and relay D to operate the motor to move the plunger I5 downwardly.

The dog 16b is next actuated to close contact 93 of the circuit including leads I4, I5 and Is to open valve 51 just after the punch I2 enters die cavity I4, for the purpose of removing any powder on top of die II. This circuit is opened again almost instantly by the action of dog I'Ib.

When it is desired to de-gas or breathe the mold, this is accomplished by placing a dog at 13a to open the circuit including leads I10, I11 and limit switch 33 to stop motor 20 and thereby stop the downward motion of ram I 5, and then reverse the motor rotation to secure upward motion of ram I5 by action of dog 10b closing contact 32.

The upward motion of ram I5 is stopped by operation of dogllb. The upward motion is only continued for a very short time period, as may be seen from the relative positions of dogs .102; and Nb. It is preferable to limit the upward motion a distance just suilicient to relieve the pressure, and retain the punch I2 at that position in the cavity I4. The control rod 86 actuates dog III;

at that point to open contact 92 and stop the motor 20. At the end of the desired breathing period, the control rod.

material confined in cavity I4.

31' engages the dog 12c,

closing contact 86 and thereby completing the circuit through limit switch 33 again for the final closing of the mold Ill. The motion to close the mold is interrupted as recited above by limit switch 33.

Briefly, the cycle of operation for our machine may be described as follows: Assuming that the curing period is finished as set on the controller, this latter then starts the motor 20 rotating in a reverse direction to retract the ram I5, which opens the mold I8 and the molded article is ejected and blown into receiver 56, the ram continuing the upward motion until the limit for this is reached as set on the controller and motor 20 is stopped. During the last phase of the upward travel of the ram I5, the feed valve 40 is turned by the action of frame F3 on pinion 43 so that opening 38b of valve 40 passes the en trance to feed conduit 42a and a charge. of molding material is delivered into the mold cavity I4. Without any further delay than may be required for the motor 20 to come to rest, the controller closes another circuit and starts motor 20 in the direction for lowering ram I 5, the circuit remaining closed until the punch I 2 has entered the mold.

cavity I4 and exerts the premold-pressure on the At this point, .the controller may be set to stop the downward travel of ram I5 and reverse the motor so as to retract ram I5 and with it punch I2 a sufilcient distance to relieve the pressure in cavity I4 momentarily and stop the tra'vel of the ram at this point for breathing of the mold. As the punch I2 enters the cavity I4, the controller opens air valve 51 and a blast of air from nozzle 55 cleans off any grains of powder that may be lodged on top of the die II. At the end of the desired breathing period, the controller again starts the motor 20 to lower ram I5 and close the mold III for the curing period at curing pressure. This time the travel downward of ram I5 is stopped through the stopping of motor 20 by means of limit switch 33. During the last phase of the downward movement of ram I 5, extension 50a on bar 50 releases latch 64 and thereby opens trap 62 to discharge the previously molded article. Trap 62 then returns to normal position to open the safety circuit through switch 63. At the finish ofthe desired curing period as set on the controller, the motor 20 isstarted by the controller to open the mold I I and the knock-out pins 36 carried on frame F3 lift the article out of the cavity It. As the article reaches the surface of die II, the controller opens air valve 51 and the blast discharges the article into receiver 56, at the same time cleaning the cavity I4 and face of die II. The time period during which valve 51 is open is limited because a new charge should be delivered to the cavity I4 as quickly as possible and the air must be shunt off before this event takes place. The controller must, thereiore, be of such construction as to provide rapid control within very narrow limits and provide means whereby this valve may be opened to produce a strong air blast and shut almost instantly again.

We have also provided a stop switch 31 (Figs. 3 and 7) which will act to stop motor 20 should the controller fail and thus allow the ram I5 to continue on its upward travel beyond the safe and desired limit. This stop-switch 31 is normally closed and may be mounted on pressure bar 21 in such a position that, if the ram I5 overtravels, the cross-bar 2| a on ram I6will contact tic molding material comprising,

ttige ggvitch-l'ever, open the circuit and stop mor From the foregoing, it will be apparent that we have provided a machine in which a plastic molding material is supplied to a mold, is compressed, molded and ejected entirely automatically; and in which, should the sequence of operation be interrupted, the machine will be automatically stopped.

While we have shown in the drawings a suitable embodiment of our invention, it is apparent that many modifications may be made without departing from the principles shown and disclosed.

We do not intend to be limited save as the scope of the prior art and of the attached claims may require.

We claim:

1. A machine for molding articles from plastic molding material comprising, in combination, a mold having a movable part whereby said mold may be opened and closed, means for supplying a charge of molding material to the mold, means for ejecting the molded article from said mold, operating means for opening and closing said mold and for actuating both of said means in timed relation to each other, means tending to stop the operation of said operating means after an article is ejected from said mold, and means controlled by an article as it is ejected from said amid for rendering said stopping means ineffec- 2. A machine for molding articles from plastic molding material comprising, in combination, a mold having a movable part whereby said mold may be opened and closed, means for supplying a charge of molding. material to the mold, means for ejecting the molded article from said mold, operating means for opening and closing said mold, control means for actuating all of aforesaid means in timed relation with each other to mold an article and eject the article from said mold, means tending to stop the operation of said operating means after an article is ejected from said mold, and means for receiving said ejected article including a control device controlled by said ejected article for effecting the operation of said operating means through another molding cycle.

3. A machine according to claim 2 and including means rendered operative after each operation of said control device for conditioning said device, for operation by an article discharged in the next molding cycle.

4. A machine for molding articles from plastic molding material comprising, in combination, a mold having a movable part whereby said mold may be opened and closed, operating means for operating said movable part through a complete cycle to mold an article and discharge said article from said mold including means operated in timed relation with said movable part for supplying a charge of molding material to the mold and means for discharging the molded article from said mold, said operating means being effective to operate throughout a complete cycle when once started to mold and discharge an article, and means for receiving said discharged article including a control device controlled by said discharged article for starting another cycle of said operating means.

-5. A machine for molding articles from plasin combinaa mold havin a movable part whereby tion,

be opened and closed, operating said mold may means perating said movable part through a complete cycle to mold an article and discharge said article from said mold including means operated in timed relation with said movable part for supplying a charge of molding material to the mold and means for discharging the molded article from said mold, said operating means being effective to operate throughout a complete cycle when once started to mold and discharge an article, a chute for receiving said discharged article. a tiltable barrier normally biased to a position across the path of travel of said article in said chute and being tiltable by said article in its passage through said chute, and means controlled by the tilting of said barrier for eflecting the operation of said operating means through another cycle.

6. A machine according to claim 5 wherein the means for discharging the molded article from the mold includes a, reciprocating knockout pin, means for operating said knockout pin to free the molded article from the mold parts, and an air jet arranged to convey the ejected article from said knockout pin into said chute and thus into contact with said tiltable barrier.

'7. A machine for molding articles from plastic molding material comprising, in combination, a mold having a movable part whereby said mold may be opened and closed, operating means for operating said movable part througha complete cycle to mold-an article and discharge said article from said mold inclu ng means operated in timed relation with said movable part for supplying a charge of molding material to the mold and means for discharging the molded article from said mold, said operating means being effective to operate throughout a complete cycle when once started to 'mold and discharge an article, a chute for receiving said discharged article, means including a tilting plate arranged in said chute for receiving said discharged article, said plate being normally biased to a substantially horizontal position'and being tiltable under the weight of said article, and means controlled by the tilting of said plate for initiating another cycle of operation 01 said operating means.

8. A machine for molding articles from plastic molding material comprising, in combination, a mold having a movable part whereby said mold may be opened and closed, operating means for operating said movable part through a complete cycle to mold an article and discharge said article from said mold including means operated in timed relation with said movable part for supplyin a charge of molding material to the mold and means for discharging the molded articlefrom said mold, said operating means being effective to operate throughout a complete molding cycle when once started and including means tending to stop the operating means after the discharge of an article, a safety device for receiving said discharged article, a substantially horizontal plate arranged in said safety device discharged article, said plate being normally biased to an upper position and being movable by the weight of said article to a lower position where the article is retained on said plate, means controlled by the movement of sa d plate to said lower position for rendering said stopping means ineflective, whereby said operating means is effective to operate through another molding cycle, and means rendered operative by the continued operation of said opcrating means for discharging said article from said plate.

9. A machine according to claim 8 wherein said plate is mounted for tilting movement and the means for discharging the article from the plate comprises means for effecting tilting of the plate to a position where the article slides from the plate by gravity.

10. A machine for molding articles from plastic molding materialcomprising, in combination, a mold having a movable part whereby said mold may be opened and closed, means for supplying a charge of molding material to the mold, means for ejecting the molded article from said mold, operating means for opening and closing said mold, a controller for controlling the operation of all aforesaid means in timed relation with each other to mold an article and eject the article from said mold, means for operating said controller through successive cycles, means tending to stop the operation of said controller after operation of said ejecting means in each molding cycle, means for receiving said ejected article including means controlled by said article for rendering said stopping'means ineflective.

11. In an automatic press for molding articles of plastic material, the combination of a mold havin a movable part for opening and closing the mold, power means for driving said movable part, electric means for controlling said power means including a circuit for opening said mold and a circuit for closing said mold, means for energizing said circuits in sequence to open and close said mold, means operable during opening of said mold for discharging a molded article from said mold, means operable during opening movement of said mold tending to interrupt said opening circuit for an interval of time, means controlled by said discharged article for preventing the interruption of said opening circuit during said interval of time, and means operable after the discharge of said article for feeding a charge of molding material to said mold.

12. A machine for molding articles from plastic material comprising, in combination, a mold including a lower mold part having a mold cavity formed therein and an upper mold part having a punch positioned to enter said mold cavity,'one of said mold parts being movable to open and close the mold, power means for raising and lowering said movable mold part to open and close said mold, means providing a supply of molding material elevated above said cavity, a conduit leading from said material supply means to a point above said mold cavity but out of the path of travel of said movable part and positioned to direct molding material directly into said cavity by the free and unconfined fall of said material from the end of said conduit, a measuring valve for releasing a predetermined quantity of material from said supply into said conduit, means for operating said measuring valve in timed relation with the movement of said movable part to supply a charge of molding material to said mold cavity when said mold is open, air'supply means for directing a blast of air between said mold parts, and means operated in timed relation with the movement of said movable part for rendering said air supply means operative after said punch enters said cavity to blow excess molding material from between said mold parts;

13. In a machine for molding plastic articles, upper and lower platens, said platens having a mold cavity therebetween, springs supporting said lower platen, a motor, means driven by said motor for raising and lowering the upper-platen, means driven by said motor through said firstmentloned means for ejectin an article from the lower platen when the platens are separated, means driven by said motor through said firstmentioned means and efiective after ejection of an article for feeding a measured quantity of plastic molding material into the mold cavity, means rendering the motor effective for lowering the upper platen, means for removing excess molding material when the upper platen approaches the lower one, said springs being located so as to be compressed upon abutment of the platens, and means for stopping the motor upon a predetermined spring-compression.

14. Apparatus for molding articles from plastic moldin material comprising, an upper platen carrying a punch co-operating with a die carried on a lower platen, a ram supporting said upper platen, a motor for raising or lowering said ram, an upper cross-head carrying said motor, springs stressing said lower platen towards said upper platen, means connecting said motor with said ram, a frame connected to said ram, means associated with said frame for ejecting a molded article, means for discharging ejected articles from adjacent said mold, a receiver located adjacent said platens for receiving discharged articles, a controller operating said motor and thus the apparatus through a predetermined molding cycle, a second motor driving the controller, a feed valve driven from said first motor through said ram for feeding a measured quantity of molding material into said die, means -on said controller governing said first motor so g the mold after said first motor has been stopped,

means on the controller governing said first motor eflective in raising the ram and ejecting the molded article, means for cleaning the die and mold cavity, and means for stopping said second motor upon the failure of said means or discharging ejected articles to discharge an article.

15. In an automatic press for molding articles of plastic material, the combination comprising, a controller motor, a controller operated by said motor in repeated, predetermined cycles, a reversible motor operated under the control of said controller according to the cycles of said controller, a mold comprising relatively movable parts defining a mold cavity, one of said parts being movable in response to the movements of said reversible motor so as to compress an article in said cavity, an element having a portion movable adjacent said mold and operated through an intermediate mechanism by said reversible motor when said mold is open to remove a molded article from said mold, means for feeding a charge of molding material into said mold cavity in each molding cycle, and a pivoted device biased in one direction and responsive in the opposite direction to the weight of said molded article removed from said mold and controlling the continued operation of said press in response to a continuous supply of said molded articles.

16. In an automatic press for molding articles of plastic material, the combination comprising, apair of platens defining a mold cavity between them, a frame mounted adjacent said platens and movable so as to eject an article from said mold cavity when said platens are apart. and

a lever mounted adjacent said platens and having one end arranged to move into and out of engagement with an article ejected from said mold when said platens are open and having its other end arranged for contact with said frame when said frame moves to eject an article from said mold.

17. Plastic molding apparatus comprising in combination, upper and lower platens including a punch and a mold, a ram for raising and lowering the upper platen, an upper cross-head, a lower cross-head supporting the lower platen, springs supporting the lower cross-head upon the upper cross-head, a frame attached to the ram, ejectors slidably mounted in one of said platens and actuated by the frame to project from a face of the platen, a motor carried by said upper cross-head, a controller connected to said motor so as to control its operation, a feed valve actuated by said frame for delivering a measured quantity of the material to be molded to the die cavity when platens are separated, means for rendering the motor effective to lower the upper platen causing the punch to compress the material in the cavity, and means responsive to the force exerted between said platens for stopping said motor, said ram pressing said upper platen against said lower platen and holding said platens against pressure of said springs during the curing time, said controller governing said motor so as to render said motor eifective to raise said upper platen.

18. Plastic molding apparatus comprising in combination, upper and lower platens including a punch and a mold, a ram for raising and low- .ering the upper platen, an upper cross-head, a

lower cross-head supporting the lower platen, springs supporting the lowercross-head upon the upper cross-head, a frame attached to the ram, ejectors slidably mounted in one of said platens and actuated by the frame to project from a face of the platen, a motor carried by said upper cross-head. a controller connected to said motor so as to control its operation, a feed valve actuated by said frame for delivering a measured quantity of the material to be molded to the die cavity when platens'are separated, means for rendering the motor effective to lower the upper platen causing the punch to compress the material in the cavity, means responsive to the force exerted between said platens for stopping said motor, said ram pressing said upper platen against said lower platen and holding said platens against pressure of said springs during the curing time, said controller governing said .motor so as to render said motor effective to raise said upper platen, means mounted adjacent said punch and said mold for contacting with a molded article when said punch and said mold are separated and for aiding in the removal of said molded article from the apparatus, a receiver located adjacent said platens, means for discharging the ejected article into the receiver, a motor connected to said controller so as to operate said controller, and means for stopping said motor upon failure of the discharging means to discharge an article.

19. A machine for molding articles from plastic molding material comprising in combination, a frame supporting a mold including a platen having a mold cavity and a reciprocating ram cooperating therewith, a reciprocating knockout pin supported in said platen below said mold cavity, means operated by said ram in the early part of its opening movement for operating said knock-out pin to eject a molded article from said cavity, a lever pivotally supported upon said frame and having one end thereof adapted to swing transversely over the opening of said mold cavity and the other end thereof having a cam surface formed thereon, cam means operated by movement of said ram after operation of said knock-out pin for operatin said pivoted lever to discharge the molded article from said mold, a container for molding material supported on said frame, a feed valve attached to said container for delivering a measured quantity of molding material to said mold cavity, and means operated by said ram during the latter part of its opening travel for actuating said feed valve to deliver a measured quantity of material to said mold cavity.

VICTOR I. ZELOV. WILLIAM STRAUSS. 

